Professional Morrisville, PA on Jan 21, 2013

How to Remove Rust Stains From Tub

Although this is not our area of expertise, we thought we'd pass on this information that was tested by our employees. They are always talking about their own home repairs and we thought this was an interesting topic and solution.

Rust in the bathroom is usually the result of two related situations. Either iron-containing metals in your bathroom fixtures have begun to rust OR your mineral-rich water supply contains iron particles and has begun to stain areas where water runs. This happens even with a porcelain tub as two of our employees found out.

Bleach and Tilex made the rust stains worse and they sparked another chemical reaction, creating more rust stains on the non-skid surface on the tub floor. Other products that either made things worse or didn't work at all: Lysol, toilet bowl cleansers, Soft Scrub, Goof Off, Awesome, Comet, Simple Green, Mean Green, Magic Eraser and CLR,

However, we found 2 things that really worked: Clorox2 and Hydrogen Peroxide. The Clorox2 worked best and required less scrubbing. Just pour either product on the stain and let it sit. Then scour gently with a damp sponge and rinse. If the stains are really bad you may have to repeat the process twice.

44 Comments Displaying 25 of 44 comments | See Previous

Somewhat Quirky Grosse Pointe, MI

Thank you! Thank you!

on Jan 22, 2013 · Like 0
Karen - The Graphics Fairy Frederick, MD

Great tip!!

on Jan 22, 2013 · Like 0
Great Home Painting Morrisville, PA

We really love everyone's suggestions. Seems like there are multiple solutions. Doesn't hurt to always keep a few of these items on hand! On a side note, be careful using Naptha. It can be unstable and flammable, It's used in the process of making gasoline and varnish. It can irritate the skin, cause nausea and bronchial issues.

on Jan 22, 2013 · Like 0
Gloria Naumann Eau Claire, WI

I use Norwex Blue Diamond since I won't use chemicals in my house. Works great on all bathroom fixtures

on Jan 23, 2013 · Like 0
Jean M Valdosta, GA

thanks alot !!

on Jan 23, 2013 · Like 0
Paula H Morning View, KY

Thanks I needed this info bad.

on Jan 23, 2013 · Like 0
Jean Hatboro, PA

Fels Naptha soap is the yellow soap used for poison ivy oil removal. Also good for cleaning paint brushes. Not unstable, etc.

on Jan 24, 2013 · Like 1
Great Home Painting Morrisville, PA

Thanks Jean, good to know and thanks for the clarification on Fels Naptha. You are right, its environmentally safe and gentle on skin

on Jan 25, 2013 · Like 0
Debra K. Dillonvale, OH

I used to shave off shreds of Fels naptha and use it in my white clothes.....helps whiten them, and smells very fresh and clean!!

on Jan 25, 2013 · Like 0
Nita Taylor

I have hard water stains in my bathroom sinks. I used Iron Out, the powder kind. as suggested above. I let it sit a while and then scrubbed with an old tooth brush. It didn't work either. :( So next I will try Clorox 2 and bleach.

on Jan 28, 2013 · Like 0
Bonnie Stevens

all these products arent any good here in U.K.

on Feb 12, 2013 · Like 0
Paula Delaney Beloit, WI

barkeeper power

on Feb 12, 2013 · Like 0
Mark Potter Lagrangeville, NY

Looks like the water has been running for some time with no softener system....eeek

on Feb 12, 2013 · Like 0
Judy Lepoma Jacksonville, FL

The works toilet bowl cleaner works to remove the rust as fast as it is applied with no scrubbing. Takes seconds but use a mask.

on Feb 14, 2013 · Like 3
Beth Weir Converse, LA

As Judy Lepoma said, THE WORKS toilet Bowl cleaner is the best to remove rust stains. No scrubbing involved but have plenty of veltilation. I have well water that has so much iron in it that if you add bleach of any kind to the water it turns the water a mud red color. The Works is available in my area at Dollar General and other dollar stores for $2.00!!!!! It works on poreclain and fiberglass tubs, toilets and sinks.

on Feb 14, 2013 · Like 0
Lorena Skiba Saint Johns, MI

For a much less toxic and chemically poisonous route...here is what I do to remove the rust stains, which are quite frequent due to the heavy minerals in our water... I get a spray bottle and fill it partially with vinegar (white only) to about a third way up. Then I add some 100% pure lemon juice to the mix to about half way. Then I put in some dish soap (degreaser preferred) about a tablespoon of that. then fill it the rest of the way with water. Shake it up and you have a great mix for ...»
cleaning tubs, sinks, stoves, refridgerators, countertops and I even use it on my washer and dryer, because the cats like to climb up on them. When I need to have a scrubbing action, for the tub, or sinks. I will pour out some baking soda after I spray the area with my acidic mix, then spray some more on top of the baking soda and let it sit about 20-30 seconds. then scrub away the stains, with no inhailing of chemical toxins! Yeah!

on Feb 16, 2013 · Like 5
Lorena Skiba Saint Johns, MI

btw...it comes out all sparkly too! I impressed my Mom with my home-made solution the other day, she couldn't get over how bright and shiney everything look when I clean her house!

on Feb 16, 2013 · Like 2
Maryann L

come practise on my house...

on Feb 17, 2013 · Like 2
Pam Shoesmith Probasco

Wow, I used the Works on something in my kitchen sink and it ate through the chrome covering on the sink drain! Looks awful - never again!

on Feb 17, 2013 · Like 0
Cathy B Phoenix, AZ

I would use BarKeepers Friend. It now comes in gel but I would make a paste with the powder version and scrub off as much as possible with a sponge scrubber and then put some on every night, overnight till gone.

on Mar 15, 2013 · Like 0
Cathy B Phoenix, AZ

Nita Taylor take a look at my post...

on Mar 15, 2013 · Like 0
Diana Dray Harrod, OH

Before using any type of scouring powder wet the area first. I'm going to try the fels naptha. I make my own laundry soap with it but never knew it would work on rust stains in the bathroom. thanks

on Mar 16, 2013 · Like 0
Kim Liebsch Chester, MD

I use barkeepers friend works wonders

on Mar 17, 2013 · Like 0
Kathie taylor Largo, FL

To Pam Shoesmith Probasco: The works toilet bowl cleaner is just that. Using it on faucets requires rinsing immediately. Having had a cleaning service, The Works was far better than any commercial product I tried. Make sure to check the water tank, (toilet) The Works is great in there as well. Stay with it....scrub with toilet brush then flush. Depending how bad, may require a second flushing. Check toilet bowl water and make sure it is clear. Do the tank first and then the bowl. Probably only needs twice a year.

on Mar 30, 2013 · Like 0
Rosalie M Kingston, PA

Did anyone try Bar Keepers Friend on this? Give it a whirl.

on Apr 01, 2013 · Like 0

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